Every young player that comes through Lezama dreams of playing at San Mamés. Sadly, only a select few will make it that far. Many will eventually get the chance to play for CD Basconia or even Bilbao Athletic, but reaching the first team is extremely difficult. Every year several players have to leave the club because they’ve climbed as far as they can and that is officially the case for at least one at this point.

On Thursday Athletic announced that Bilbao Athletic goalkeeper Unai Etxebarria will be leaving the club this summer. The 22-year-old’s contract is set to expire on 30 June and Athletic have made the decision to not offer him a renewal.

Etxebarria joined Lezama in 2013 and spent one year with the Juvenil A team before being promoted to Basconia. After loan spells with Bermeo and Leioa, the goalkeeper earned his place at Bilbao Athletic this season where he has split time with Hodei Oleaga in the starting lineup. Without a path to the first team, Etxebarria is expected to sign with a club in Spain’s second division this summer.